Thiem goes down to Millman in three sets at Serbia Open

The former world No 3 is now 0-2 in his comeback but intends to play every week until the French Open kicks off in May

Austria’s Dominic Thiem at the ATP Masters 1000 Italian Open Rome Masters Image Credit: AI / Reuters / Panoramic

April 19, 2022

Former world No 3 Dominic Thiem was defeated in Australian John Millman in three sets in the first round of the ATP Serbia Open in Belgrade in Tuesday. The match was only Thiem’s second since his return from a nine-month injury layoff last month and the Austrian is now 0-2 in his comeback from his wrist injury.

On Tuesday, the Austiran dropped the first set to the 80th ranked Millman 6-3 but bounced back to claim the second set by the same score and send the match to a decider.

In the final set, the two players held serve through the first nine games. Thiem saved two break points in the eighth game but fell behind 0-40 in the tenth game. This time, the Austrian was unable to bounce back as Millman broke on love to complete the 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 win in two hours and 33 minutes.

Didn't get the win, but it was *so* good to see @domithiem back doing what he does best 😍#SerbiaOpen pic.twitter.com/vfSjRiZk8J
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 19, 2022

Thiem planning to play every week until the French Open in May

While the defeat would have surely been disappointing for Thiem as he looks to get more match fit,he can take comfort that he put up a much better show than his outing in Marbella, Spain where he lost to 228th ranked Pedro Cachin in straight sets.

This was the first win for Millman over Thiem in four career meetings and the 32-year-old next meets local favourite Miomir Kecmanovic.

Thiem, who had to pull out of Monte-Carlo after being diagnosed with COVID-19 late last month, has said that he intends to play every week until the French Open as he works towards getting match sharp for the clay court Grand Slam.